Strainer



April 15, 1952 c. A. GIAUQUE Filed March 4,' A1948 Il nu llI IIHHIIIHHH ||I fz JJg t/ la 6 7 I all li jizz/enfer.-

Patented Apr. 15, 1952 STRAINER Charles A. Giauque, Berwyn, Ill., assignor to Crane Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application March 4, 1948, Serial No. 12,937

4 Claims.

This invention broadly relates to strainers and more particularly it is concerned with the novel construction of a strainer in which the straining element therefor is made of folded thin flat strips as hereinafter described in more detail after which it is wrapped around into a cylindrical shape with the adjoining ends welded or other- Wise connected together.

Heretofore, one of the principal objections leveled against available constructions has been the requirement for making strainers largely in cast or welded material and therefore not only were the constructions relatively expensive but frequently were furnished inaccurate dimensionally with respect to the size and proportions of the apertures through which the liquid passes in the course of being strained.

Thus it is a further important object to provide a strainer construction in which the strainer is preferably fabricated entirely from parts capable of quick and convenient assembly and also possessing sufficient flexibility to form several sizes Without substantial modification.

A further important object is to provide for a strainer formed by folding thin flat strips forming scallops or a series of undulations and capable of providing for Venturi outlets therebetween to facilitate the easy fiow of fluid through the strainer thereby formed.

Other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent upon proceeding with the following specication read in light of the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of the strainer embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a front fragmentary section taken near the center of Fig. 1 across several planes.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the folded thin flat strips constituting the strainer portion before being bent or rolled around to form the asssembled strainer.

Fig. 4 is a magnified fragmentary plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front exterior view of the folded thin strips taken on a rolled around section shown in Fig. 4. y

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring at the outset to Fig. 3, a `preferably continuous thin flat strip of metal or other material is first cut to the desired length and then severally folded and corrugated transversely to its length in the manner illustrated to form an unbroken series of bends or serrations extending clrcumferentally, the folded strip thereby constituting the strainer element, and being generally designated I. The number of folds is optional, depending on the closeness of the flow spacing desired and the length of the strainer element. If the initially cut strip as referred to is not sufficiently long to provide for a continuous folded periphery during the course of being annularly positioned or Wound about a spider 5, as hereinafter referred to more specifically, several 'strip pieces may be joined together at complementary ends as indicated at 2 in Fig. 5. It should, of course, be clear that the type of material from which the thin flat strip is made is not significant, since its selection depends largely upon the bendability thereof and the service for which the strainer is ultimately to be used.

It should be understood, as shown more clearly in Fig. 1, that as to the oppositely disposed surfaces 3 and 4 of the folded strip I, line flow takes place over the latter surfaces and between the folds of the strip. The flat strip when thus folded is annularly arranged about the spider 5, the latter element preferably having its longitudinal arms provided with the ports 6 and having an annular shoulder at the top and bottom thereof, as at 'l and 8 respectively, for receiving and supporting the upper and lower rings 9 and II. These rings preferably are Weld sealed by means of the tack welds I2 and I3 to the rings 9 and I I respectively. The latter rings are preferably provided with the grooves I4 and [I5 to receive the upper and lower end portions I6 and I1 of the flat strips as indicated, the Width of the grooves I4 and I5 being of about the same Width as the strip I, thereby to receive the folded portions of the latter member as stated.

It should be noted asshovvn more clearly in Fig. 4 that when the flat strips are multitudinously folded to form the many serrations and are circumferentially mounted to extend around the spider 5, the interstices or spaces formed between the surfaces 3 and 4 are preferably of substantially radially extending vform when Viewed in the transverse section indicated at I8. It will, of course, be appreciated that the latter form of passage is desirable in promoting increased fiuid flow capacity therethrough.

The number and form of the folds and shape of the adjoining sections or surfaces will, of course, vary with the service encountered.

It will be apparent that by simply folding a thin flat strip of desired width into a desired number of serrations or undulations, the folds or strip scallops can be spaced apart or drawn together (accordion-like) to suit the nature of the liquid` being handled. Thus, a relatively simple and inexpensive type of strainer can easily be made. It will also be apparent that by eliminating costly fabrication and providing instead for a flexibility commensurate with the type or character of liquid to be handled, it is a relatively simple matter to handle cheaply special orders for such strainers from time to time.

Thus it should be clear that the particular shape of the strainer structure and the detailed relation of parts may vary quite substantially throughout a wide range without departing from the principles hereinabove described. Itis proposed therefore that the claims need not be otherwise limited.

Iclaim:

1. In a strainer, the combination comprising a centrally positioned spider member with arms having ports therethrough, a strainer element extending annularly around the said spider, the upper and lower end limits of the spider and of the strainer element being dened by a pair of annular members cooperating with end portions of the said spider and the strainer element, the said strainer element consisting of a substantially continuous thin at strip severally folded trans,- versely of its length, the folds extending substantially vertically and parallel to the central axis of the strainer to provide for flow spaces between the folds, whereby the folds provide for radially extending elongated passages from the outside peripheral limits of the strainer element tothe interior substantially between the arms of the said spider member.

2. A strainer, the combination comprising la centrally positioned spider member having arms with transverse ports, a strainer element Wound around end limits of the arms of the said spider member, a pair of spaced-apart annular'elements, the upper and lower portions of thespider and of the strainer element being retained bythe said annular elements, the strainer element consisting of a substantially vertically. extending continuous thin fiat Vstrip series-folded and placed on end to provide radially arranged elongated spaces vertically extending between .the folds when the vstrainer element is extended around thearms of said spider, the spaces .being wider at their outer limits.

3., In a strainer construction comprising a 4 ported supporting means, upper and lower grooved annular members fastened to the opposite end edges of the said supporting means, a strainer element mounted between said latter annular members, the strainer element consisting of a thin flat strip folded transversely to its length with folds extending vertically, the folded strip being positioned von rounded ends of the folds and iformed to extend annularly around the ported supporting means thereby to provide for flow passages therebetween of substantially radially extending form when viewed in transverse section. v

4. In a strainer, the combination comprising a spider memberhaving vertically extended arms with ports, a strainer element wound around and with transverse edges contacting the arms of the lsaid spider member, the upper and lower portions of the strainer element being contained Vwithin a pair of spaced apart annular members suported by end portions of the said spider, the strainer element beingmounted between the said annular members and consisting of a substantially continuous thin flat strip formed by substantially vertical series Vfolding to provide for elongatedflow passages between the folded portions .of the flat4 strip whenvthe strainer element is extended annularly to Aenclose the said spider member, vthe vfolded portionslbeing. of substantialy `uniform V.height .throughout said annular extension.

CHARLESA. GIAUQUE.

REFERENCES CITED The following; referencesare .of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 231,066 Long Augl, 1880 1,615,559 Tark Jan. 25,1927 V1,717,313 DOlier .June 11, 1929 2,081,198 Hahn May 25, 1937 .2,218,800 Williams Oct. 22, 1940 2,279,423V Vokes Apr. 14, 1942 2,410,371 'Vokes Oct. 29, 1946 FOREIGN vPATE'N'IS Number Country Date 105,789 Australia ;Nov. 24,1938 

